Silent Scars

CHAPTER 52

MARCUS HASTINGS

Marcus moved swiftly down the hall, his footsteps quiet but urgent. He’d heard the crash from Leonardo’s study, the unmistakable sound of something shattering, glass, perhaps, or maybe just Leonardo’s fragile control. His pulse quickened.

I needed to get there before Leo lost it completely.

Marcus barely hesitated before knocking, the sharp sound echoing through the heavy silence.

"Leo."

He called, voice steady but firm. No answer.

His jaw tightened.

"Leonardo, open the damn door."

For a moment, nothing.

Then, a slow creak.

The door swung open just enough for Marcus to step inside, and the sight that met him was a storm of destruction.

Papers littered the floor, some crumpled, others torn straight through. Bookshelves had been emptied in a fit of rage, their contents scattered. A crystal decanter lay shattered near the desk, its amber liquid bleeding into the wood.

"Leo."

Marcus called, keeping his voice steady. He couldn’t afford to show fear now.

Leonardo’s eyes met his, glassy and bloodshot. Marcus moved closer, stepping over the mess. He placed a firm hand on Leonardo’s shoulder, grounding him.

After their conversation, when Leonardo finally seemed to find a thread of calm, Marcus left. His mind was a tempest, thoughts clashing against each other. He needed space, needed to breathe. But as he walked down the corridor, he paused when he noticed Luca standing in front of Ariana’s door. His younger brother hesitated, his hand hovering over the doorknob, his expression unreadable.

His shoulders were tense, the kind of tension that came from holding back an ocean of emotion.

He watched as Luca finally pushed the door open, slipping inside with careful movements, as if afraid to wake her.

Something told Marcus he shouldn’t follow. That this moment wasn’t meant for him.

But he did anyway.

Keeping his steps silent, Marcus moved closer, stopping just outside the slightly ajar door. He leaned against the wall, staying hidden as he listened.

Inside, the room was quiet, save for the soft shuffle of Luca settling into the chair beside Ariana’s bed.

Then Luca spoke.

“I’m sorry, Star.”

He whispered, voice barely above a breath.

Marcus stilled.

He heard Luca’s whisper, soft and broken.

He had never heard Luca sound like that before.

So raw.

So… broken.

“I never realized you were suffering like this. I should have known. I should have seen it sooner.”

Marcus closed his eyes briefly.

Luca was blaming himself.

Just like Marcus blamed himself.

Just like Leonardo did.

No one had realized how much Ariana had been carrying. And now, it was suffocating all of them.